Longford farmers and food producers invited to pesticide conference

Longford farmers and food producers are being invited to attend a major conference examining the future of pesticide regulation in Ireland and across the EU.

The event, Protect our Health, Water & Biodiversity from Pesticides, will take place at Europe House in Dublin on Tuesday October 6. (For the full event programme, and to register, please tap HERE.)

It will bring together representatives from the European Commission, the Department of Agriculture, scientists, water sector experts, environmental organisations and representatives of the farming community.

Ireland holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the second half of 2026 and is leading discussions to finalise EU Member States’ position on the future of EU pesticide law.

The conference will look at the potential impact of pesticide regulation on health, children, drinking water and biodiversity.

Organisers say recent testing has raised concerns around pesticide residues in food products, including findings relating to wheat-based cereals and strawberries in Ireland.

The event, which is being organised by The Environmental Forum, Pesticide Action Network Europe, the Sustainable Water Network and the Environmental Pillar, will be chaired by journalist and broadcaster Ella McSweeney.

Bernadette Connolly of The Environmental Forum, who will lead the opening discussion, said Ireland’s EU Presidency provides an opportunity for the country to take a leading role in protecting the environment and children’s health.

The conference will run from 10am to 2pm on October 6 at Europe House, 5 Balfe Street, Dublin, and will also be available via livestream. For the full event programme, and to register, please tap HERE.

Funded by the local democracy reporting scheme